THE INFLUENCE OF CREATINE SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE GROWTH OF MUSCLE STRENGTH IN MEN PRACTISING BODY-BUILDING

The research group comprised 14 men training recreational body-building in the "TKKF Raj Lodz" Club in Lodz. The subjects were divided into two groups. The experimental group used supplementation with creatine monohydrate (twice daily with 5 g) without the saturation phase. The control group comprised athletes not subject to the supplementation. Both groups trained in consistence with the "P-RR-S" scheme ("Power, Rep-Range, Shock"). The subjects from both groups ate according to a menu containing precisely determined proportions of all basic nutritional ingredients. The level of strength capabilities was defined using three basic strength tests: barbell squat, flat bench barbell press, straightening the trunk and legs with a barbell in straight hands-the so-called deadlift. Both in the experimental and the control group positive changes in the level of all attempts were achieved. The greatest changes were revealed in the control group-the one not using creatine. The changes in bodybuilders revealed in the study were not, however, confirmed statistically. Such a result of the experiment might have been influenced by the choice of the subjects and too short a period of observation. Key words: creatine, muscle strength, body-building.